The NFT (non-fungible token) art field is taking off in Israel. Last month, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art featured an exhibition titled “NFT> One of a Kinds.” Alongside discovering the 40 exhibited works of art, visitors were invited to scan a QR code that invited them to also experience the exhibition virtually on their phones with explanations on the different art pieces. A few days after the launching, three of the exhibiting designers secretly replaced the QR code with a different one, replacing the virtual works with a text complaining about the low cyber security measures the museum had allegedly employed.

The digital protest of the three designers touched on the very essence of NFT — digital files registered by an e-commerce network (blockchain). The idea is that the technology used to register these files of artworks enables reliable identification of the source, thereby rendering the artworks unique, with a distinct owner.

An array of Israeli groups and communities are thriving on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and especially Discord. A variety of private websites provide information and services in this field. There is an Israeli art gallery specializing in NFT. Last year, the Knesset issued an NFT of the original draft of the presidential oath. It was then offered to then-incoming President Isaac Herzog ahead of his inauguration. Also in 2021, a first NFT conference was organized by the Shenkar engineering, design and art school. A first NFT art auction in Israel took place last May.

Likewise, Israeli commercial entities have become involved in the field, like the cafe chain Landover, which this year launched the first commercial NFT in Israel, “eight NFT images of its iconic dish — the Rozalach,” which were sold within minutes and are now found on sale for sums of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. While this community and business activity is just starting out, it is already quite dynamic.